SAN FRANCISCO — Coach Steve Kerr has expressed dissatisfaction with the Golden State Warriors’ recent performances, highlighting a noticeable lack of energy and competitive spirit following their humiliating 114-98 defeat against the Miami Heat. Kerr emphasized the importance of rekindling that fighting spirit after the team suffered a heavy loss to the Sacramento Kings just two nights earlier.
Draymond Green is urging his teammates to reconnect with their essence. Stephen Curry, two-time MVP, also made it clear that he cannot shoulder the entire burden of the team’s success alone. During a challenging moment in the game, Curry appeared almost incredulous when glancing at the scoreboard, frustrated by their inability to connect on shots and execute critical defensive plays.
Curry remarked on the back-to-back poor performances, stating, “Nobody’s giving up hope. You’ve got to have a sense of urgency, though.” This reflects a broader sentiment within the team as they look to regroup at Chase Center. After the grim outing, Green spoke to the team and emphasized the need for resilience and to reclaim their spirit, as shared by teammate Trace Jackson-Davis. “We can’t be front-runners,” Jackson-Davis noted. “We have to dig in, we have to find our soul.”
In the game against Miami, the Warriors struggled significantly, making only 14 out of 50 attempts from beyond the arc and finishing with a field goal percentage of 40.8% (40 of 98). Curry insists that the focus should not be on blame, but rather on a unified effort to turnaround their current challenges, acknowledging that the team’s recent performance has been disappointing.
“This particular team hasn’t done anything,” Curry stated. He highlighted the importance of accountability, asserting, “At the end of the day we are a team and we are all tied together… It’s a we thing.” He called upon everyone to play with confidence and the belief that they can defeat any opponent.
The Warriors’ season has been a rollercoaster. After missing the playoffs last year, they started the current season positively at 12-3, filled with dreams of another championship run as Curry and Green seek to add to the four titles already achieved. Curry articulated the heightened frustration that comes with experiencing success—the unpleasant sting of defeat feels even sharper.
Currently sitting at 18-18 and sharing ninth place with San Antonio in the competitive Western Conference, Golden State is in a precarious position. Last season, they were the tenth seed and faced elimination from the playoffs by the Kings during the play-in tournament. The team is also dealing with injuries; forward Jonathan Kuminga is expected to be out for several weeks due to a sprained right ankle, while guards Gary Payton II and Brandin Podziemski could return during an upcoming four-game road trip.
Fans have been expressing their frustration, leaving the arena early for the second consecutive game, having been disappointed by the recent performances, especially still reeling from the previous blowout by the Kings. Kerr acknowledged the current struggles, saying, “I expected better energy. I think we’re suffering from a crisis of confidence right now frankly.” He noted that missing shots is part of the game, but added, “I mind when missed shots affect the defense and the attitude.” Kerr urged the team to not succumb to disappointment but instead to respond by bringing intensity and outworking their competitors, even when times are tough.
